The NCTE Doublespeak Award, established in 1974 and given by the NCTE Public Language Award Committee, is an ironic tribute to public speakers who have perpetuated language that is grossly deceptive, evasive, euphemistic, confusing, or self-centered.

Nominations for the Award

The NCTE Public Language Award Committee is now seeking nominations for this year's Doublespeak Award, which is given to a glaring example of deceptive language by a public spokesperson. The words must originate from an American. The committee needs a one-page description of the context in which the statement occurred and a copy of the print media source in which the quote appeared (with date). In the case of broadcast media, list the program, time, place, and date.

Nominations are also sought for the Orwell Award, which honors an author, editor, or producer of a print or nonprint work that contributes to honesty and clarity in public language.

The nominations deadline is September 15, 2009. Eligible nominations are those appearing or published between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009. Send nominations to the NCTE Public Language Award Committee, c/o Kurt Austin, NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096; fax: 217-328-0977; booksteam@ncte.org.